Art

THE ART DEPARTMENT

‘The Art Dept was one of reasons that we chose Ashford School for our child'. Visiting parent.  

 You only have to visit the art department to realise why it is so successful and popular. The environment has a real sense of purpose and is lively and welcoming, with every wall festooned with work from all ages and the studios occupied by enthusiastic pupils, absorbed in creative problem solving. The Art staff are friendly and positive and give freely of their time, ensuring the best possible results for all pupils.

Why teach Art and Design?

Participating in art and design activities helps pupils to communicate thoughts and ideas in a variety of ways, developing creative problem solving skills and allowing the opportunity to make decisions.

 Art education nurtures the skills that allow confident independent learning and aids the development of self-esteem, self- discipline, cooperation and self-motivation.

What does art at Ashford School offer ?

The department aims to provide a rich and varied art education from the day that pupils enter the school until the day that they leave.

Years 7, 8 and 9 are taught the basic skills of visual communication through an exciting range of fine art, textiles and 3d activities and their work is celebrated and encouraged through displays around the school.

Art and Textiles are popular and successful choices for GCSE and the department prides itself on offering diverse and lively programmes of study, invariably resulting in exceptionally high exam results. The standard of work is so sophisticated that External Moderators have commented that they had to keep reminding themselves that they were marking GCSE and not A level work.

Fine Art, Textiles and Photography are offered at AS and A2 level and again, pupils are offered challenging but rewarding courses that focus on developing art skills to a high technical level, whilst encouraging experimentation and considered risk taking. Again, the department boasts excellent results and many pupils go on to study at prestigious universities and art colleges that offer the most competitive degree courses.

Ashford School Art Department has been recognised by the examining board, Edexcel, for being a centre of excellence for Art and Design.

GCSE results 2010

ART : 40%  A*    40% A

TEXTILES : 53% A*     18% A

A level results 2010

AS ART:91%   A and A*

AS TEXTILES: 91%   A and A*

PHOTOGRAPHY: 88%   A and A*

A2 ART : 100%    A and A*

A2 TEXTILES: 94%    A and A*

A2 PHOTOGRAPHY:   67%   A and A*

Members of the Art Dept

Bay Lees- Head of Art and Design: Fine Art and Textiles.

Jennie Morton: Fine Art and Textiles.

Nicole Rayner: Fine Art and Textiles. Artist in Residence.

Dylan Woolf:  Photography.

Fiona Clifton-Ryan: Art technician.

Caro Johnson: visiting teacher of Art and Textiles , Artist in Residence.

Iain Rayner: Artist in Residence.

 ‘The department's aim is to provide every student with a rich and varied art education that caters for individual strengths and interests. We have a wonderful team of art staff:  everyone is highly qualified and we are all totally committed to bringing out the best in the pupils. Every effort is made to make the department into a vibrant, happy environment w here everyone is welcome and where everyone can achieve success.'                                                   

 Bay Lees

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegallery_ashfordschool/